BMW’s Straight-Six 3er Isn’t Going Anywhere
BMW rolled out the all-electric i3 as the supposed future of the 3 Series, but don’t count out gas power just yet. The next-gen 3 Series will launch with both electric and gasoline versions, all wearing the same Neue Klasse look and packing much of the same tech.
So yes, the straight-six survives – and it’s beefed up. BMW just showed off camouflaged prototypes of the new gas-powered 3 Series during testing in Miramas, France. At first glance, they look a lot like the i3, but there’s one dead giveaway: four exhaust tips poking out the back.
BMW is sticking with its “technology-open” game plan, mixing EVs and gas models in the same family instead of splitting them up. Every gas-powered 3 Series gets 48-volt mild-hybrid help, but keeps that classic rear-biased feel fans love.
BMW
Most Powerful B58 Yet, Plus “Drift Moment”
Meet the new king of the gas-powered lineup: the BMW M350 xDrive – yes, no “i” moving forward. As the replacement for the M340i, it packs the most powerful B58 engine BMW has ever built for a production car.
The turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six now cranks out 443 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, thanks to the mild-hybrid boost. All that muscle hits all four wheels through an eight-speed Steptronic auto, launching the sedan from 0-62 mph in just 4.1 seconds. Top speed? An electronically limited 155 mph.
But BMW didn’t just throw in more power. The M350 gets its own chassis tweaks: stiffer body, wider tracks front and rear, a longer wheelbase than the old G20, and almost perfect weight balance. Engineers also sharpened the steering, upgraded the brakes, and added new dampers for better handling and a smoother ride.
One of the more interesting additions is Drift Moment. For the first time, a BMW M Performance 3 Series gets a dedicated drift mode. Hit the button on the center display and the system sends all the power to the rear wheels – no more splitting it up. BMW says it teams up with the M Sport diff and stability control to give you that classic rear-drive feel.
There’s a catch, though. Drift Moment won’t be ready at launch. BMW says it’ll roll out as a software update in 2027 – even for cars already in customers’ hands.
BMW
More Four-Cylinder Models Are Coming Next
BMW says the new 3 Series will also get updated four-cylinder gas and diesel engines, all with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech. The six-cylinder, though, is reserved for the M350 xDrive – unless you’re stepping up to the full M3.
Engines aside, every gas-powered 3 Series gets BMW’s new Driving Stack electronics, not the “Heart of Joy” setup from the i3 and electric M3. This system manages everything – steering, brakes, suspension, stability, and all-wheel drive – to give combustion models their own driving feel, even though they share software roots with the EVs.
Right now, BMW’s prototypes are wrapping up final testing at Miramas in southern France, after braving the cold in Sweden and tearing up the Nürburgring. Engineers are throwing everything at these cars – from high-speed ovals to rough roads – to dial in the ride and handling before production kicks off.
Production for the new M350 xDrive starts in the second half of 2026. The rest of the gas-powered 3 Series lineup will follow soon after.
BMW
